Utility software can be something of a double-edged sword for PC users. A comprehensive suite of optimisation and maintenance programs may dig you out of a hole in an emergency or even prevent you from getting into one in the first place.

Some suites can go a tweak too far, however, causing more problems than they set out to solve. Even for more experienced users, this can make utility software a prospect too daunting to face and the temptation is to simply avoid it altogether.

Ontrack has long set out to simplify utility suites and has been so successful that its flagship SystemSuite is now up to version 4. It's quite a suite too, containing pretty much everything most PC users will need, but its simple approach and use of Wizards mean that novices shouldn't be too bewildered by its ins and outs.

Can we Fix-It?

The largest component of SystemSuite is Fix-It Utilities, Ontrack's challenger to the behemoth of Norton Utilities.

Fix-It Utilities is available as a separate product for £40, and while it provides a useful set of tools, it's not quite as comprehensive as other packages.

For £15 more, however, the extra bits in SystemSuite amply address that quibble. Those bits are all accessed through a simple, single window that logically groups tasks into such things as Diagnose and Fix. Clicking one provides more options but technophobes need go no further than the four One-Stop Solutions that perform key maintenance tasks.

Firewall and antivirus software

If you fancy something more than this simple approach, the first tool to face is the Firewall and we're happy to report that this is on a par with the Computeractive free favourite, ZoneLabs ZoneAlarm. It's a cinch to set up and can be all but ignored in use, leaving you safe in the knowledge that your PC is protected from unwanted prying while you are online.VirusScanner Pro provides protection against the numerous electronic nasties. Like all good antivirus software, it offers double protection. First, it sits in the background of Windows, invisibly examining files and emails for virus infection whenever they're accessed or received.

Secondly, it provides an on-request virus scanner for when you want to check a file or disk is safe before using it. As is now de rigueur, virus signatures are updated over the internet and scans can be scheduled to run automatically at your leisure.

Crash protection

The CrashProof crash-protection program may have its uses with versions of Windows earlier than XP but these things are seldom worth the resources they require.

EasyUninstall, which will eradicate all trace of an installed application that otherwise refuses to budge, is of more benefit, although again, Windows Me and XP's own System Restore can take care of that.

Rounding things off are some welcome file clean-up tools, Zip file management and a copy of the excellent PowerDesk 4 Pro file manager - great for those who prefer more control than Windows Explorer gives over their files.

At £55, SystemSuite is comprehensive, powerful and easy to use. Only some feature duplication with later Windows versions and minor niggles stop it being a compulsory purchase.

Contact
Ontrack 01732 741999 www.ontrack.co.uk

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Norton Systemworks 2002
Not an essential upgrade but worth it if you're currently doing without.
£60
*****
Computeractive, Issue 97